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On the eve of the Wisconsin Primary, Hillary Clinton stood accused of having a $600 haircut. Mrs Clinton was seen entering a side entrance of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York, where she went to the John Barrett Salon and got a cut and blow-dry, or “blow out” as Americans call it.

As Hillary’s likely opponent, Donald Trump, gets away with insulting war heroes, Mexicans, Muslims and Ted Cruz’s wife, while asserting blithely that women who have abortions “need to be punished”, Mrs Clinton generates bad headlines for being a woman. A woman who goes to the hairdresser.

Give the girl a break. The 68-year-old Hillary, who has had her appearance analysed and disparaged by the media for decades, is in a no-win situation. If she doesn’t make an effort, she’s an ugly feminist. If she has an expensive hairdo, she is out of touch with regular people.

Hillary ClintonCredit:
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What nonsense. Let me declare an interest. When I was about to appear on the Today show in New York, I too went to the John Barrett salon. With its giddying view of the frothy green treetops of Central Park, the salon makes you feel like you have arrived in Heaven by mistake.

A cape is put around your neck, some kind of elaborate yet soothing washing procedure happens. A silent manicurist illuminates your half-moons. You are handed by an assistant to Mr Barrett, who combs out. Another, more senior assistant takes the first pass at styling. Finally, the elfin maestro himself enters stage left and snips deftly at your obedient locks while sharing some piquant gossip. You are then delivered to a drying expert, whose job is to to give you sufficient bouffe without making you look too Liberace.

Donald Trump and Hillary ClintonCredit:
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I came out resembling Hillary Clinton and totally ready to run the free world. If I had the pressures Mrs Clinton is under, and multiple appearances a day, I would move my bed into the John Barrett salon. Whatever she’s paying, it’s worth it.

Besides, if Hillary ends up going head-to-head with Trump, the contest will be weird, multi-directional, urine-yellow candyfloss hair versus perfect blonde bouffe. I think we already know who is America’s hair apparent.